Folding stereoscope.



E. R. COU DEN. FOLDING STEREOSCOPE.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 5. 1915.

Patented Oct. 3,1916.

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FOLDING STEREOSCOPE.

APPLICATION FILED NOV-5.1915.

Patented Oct. 3, 1916.

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EARL R. COTJIDIFIN, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

:FOLDING STEBEOSCOPE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

. Patented. 0.0.11.3, 1916.

Applicationffiled November'5, 1915. serial 110.59,?28.

To all whom it may concern I .Be it known that I, EARL R. CoUDEN, a citizen of the United States, and residing in Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented a new and useful Folding 'Stel'eoscope, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to stereoscopes and has for its object, the provision of a simple and efiicient device of this character adapted to be quickly and easily folded into compact form for transportation or storage, and as easily'and quickly opened up for use.

Other objects will appear hereinafter. An embodiment'of my invention is shown in the accompanying drawings forming a part of'this specification, and in Which Figure 1 is a side elevation of a stereoy scope embodying my invention in condition for use, there bemg certain portions broken away to show underlyingparts. Fig. 2 is a front view of the device closed, except'that a part of the hood is open. Fig. 3 is a substantially central horizontal section taken through the device in the condition shown in Fig. 1. Fig. 4 is a section taken on'line 1% in Fig. 3.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, a lens frame 5 is indicated as being formed of metal and provided with a covering 6 thereon of leather or other suitable material. This frame 0 may be formed of any other mater1al,when so deslred. Around the peripheral edge of the frame 5 is a wall 7 adapted to form a housing "for the parts on this side of theframe 5 when not in use,

such parts will'be described later. The covering 6 extends around on the walls 7 giving the whole a finished appearance.

On the front side of "the frame 5, is a hood adapted to cover the eyes Off/116 operator in use. This hood is foldable and comprises-a relatively stiff member 8 at the upper side thereofand a relativelystiff lower member 9 at the lower side thereof. The

ends of'the members 8 and 9 are connected by flexible material '10, such as leather or other suitable material. The outer. edges of members 8 and9 are preferably formed to fit corresponding portions of the face of a person usingthe device, in order "to exclude as much lightas possible in use. The portions 8 and "9 are provided with a clasp when folded.

The portion 9 is first folded upwardly, then the portion 8 folded downwardly thereover, with the clasp portion 11 adapted to engage the clasp portion 12 to lock the hood in its closed condition. Each of the portions 8 and 9 is provided with a spring 13 which is mounted in the frame 5 with one end engaging the latter and the other end engaging one of the members 8 or 9. The springs are so arranged that they normally tend to move the portions 8 and 9'to open condition so that upon unlocking the clasp 1"112 the hood will automati- 'oally. open up under the influence of the springs.

In frame 5 and covered by the hood are two sight 'aperturesll. A lens 15 is mounted over :each of the openings '14, with one end engaging a member 16. In the member 16 is threaded a screw "16 adapted to engage the edge of the lens, and bind the same againstthe'side of theframe 5. At the corners of the adjacent edges of the lenses 15 are screws "15 fixed in the frame 5, and

threaded on the'screws 15 are nuts 14:,be-

or other suitable substance'such as is used in photographic cameras, and similarly formed. The rear end of the bellows 17 is connected'to a frame20 by means of a member 21 and screws 22, or their equivalent. Theframe is'openin its central portion, permitting the free passage of light therethrough.

A partition '23 is disposed longitudinally through the central portion of the bellows,

and secured to-theframe'5 between the openings 14 at its *frontend. Itsrear end is connected 'to abar'24 disposed Vertically across the frame 20. The partition 23 is formed of material similar to that in the bellows, and adapted to *fold 'therewith, 'soithat it is always co e'xtensive' with the bellows.

fPara'llel "withthe frame 20 is a pictureholding frame 25. The frames 20 and 25 are supported on the frame by means of lazy tongs 26. Certain pivotal joints of the lazy tongs 26 are pivoted to the frames 5, and as at 27, see Fig. 1. Other pivotal joints 28 of the lazy tongs are slidably mounted on said frames 5, 20 and 25, so that the pivotal joints 28 move .vertically along the edges of said frames when the lazy tongs are extended and distended. At each of the pivotal joints 28 of the lazy tongs is a member 29 slidably mounted in a groove 30 in each of the frames 5, 20 and 25. The groove or guide 30 at each edge of the frame 5 is preferably provided in a member 31 secured in and spaced from the vertical walls 7. These slots 30 in connection with the walls 5 may be formed in any desired manner without departing from my invention.'

The frame 25 is provided with a slot 32, which is adapted to receive a picture, either an opaque picture or a transparency. A screen 33 is provided in the frame 25, so that when transparencies are viewed light may be diffused before it passes through the I transparency, giving the appearance of a picture on a substantially white background. WVhen an opaque picture is viewed the light passes between frames 20 and 25 to the picture to illuminate the latter, and in using transparencies the light passes through the screen 33 before passing through the trans parency. In viewing either transparencies or opaque pictures, proper focus of the picture is accomplished by extending or distending the lazy tongs until the frame 25 is at the proper distance from lenses 15.

In order to form a neat and compact case which may easily be placed in the pocket, stored or transported, the lazy tongs 26 are adapted to fold, and move the frames 20 and 25 and bellows 17 into the space between walls 7. On the walls 7 I provide a lid 34 which is adapted to swing over and cover the folding parts of the device, thereby closing the same between walls 7, frame 5 and lid 34. The lid 34 is provided with a catch portion 35 adapted to engage a catch 36 in one of the walls. The catch member 36 is a spring catch member adapted to automatically lock with the member 35 upon closure of the lid. In order to facilitate opening the lid I provide a leaf spring 37, which is secured to the frame 5 and adapted to engage the edge of lid 34 when the latter is closed. Upon pressing downwardly on the spring catch 36, spring 37 automatically opens the lid 34 until it is easily opened by the fingers.

The lid 34 is adapted to serve the function of a handle or support for the device when in use, and in order to serve this purpose I provide a lock at its pivotal connection with the walls 7 to lock it in the position shown in Fig. 1. Any desired form of lock may be provided. The form shown comprises a slot 38 in the lid 34 engaging the pintle 39 on the lid. Studs 40 are provided in the walls and adapted to be engaged by notches 41 in the lid 34 to prevent pivotal movement of the lid with respect to the walls 7. The weight of the device maintains the notches 41 in engagement with the studs 40, and in order to unlock the lid for pivotal movement the latter is moved downwardly from its position shown in Fig. 1, until studs 40 disengage the notches 41.

While I have illustrated and described the preferred form of construction of my invention, I do not desire to be limited to the precise details set forth, but desire to avail myself of such variations and changes as come within the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A stereoscope comprising lenses; a lens frame for the lenses; a picture holder; foldable walls extending from the lens frame toward the picture holder and adapted to cut off light from the side of the lenses facing the picture holder; and

a foldable mounting for supporting the picture holder spaced from the lens frame.

2. A stereoscope comprising a lens frame; a picture holder; an intermediate frame between the lens frame and picture holder; a foldable wall extending between the lens frame and the intermediate frame; and a foldable mounting supporting the picture holder and intermediate frame, said mounting being adapted to hold the picture holder and intermediate frame spaced from the lens frame.

3. A stereoscope comprising a lens frame; a picture holding frame; a frame intermediate the picture holding and lens frames; folding walls connected between the intermediate frame and lens frame; and lazy tongs at opposite edges of said frames, certain of the pivotal joints of the lazy tongs being pivoted to said frames and other of the pivotal joints of the lazy tongs having sliding connections with said frames.

4. A stereoscope comprising a lens frame; a picture holding frame; a frame intermediate the picture holding and lens frames; folding walls connected between the intermediate frame and the lens frame; a partition extending from the lens frame to the intermediate frame between said folding walls and foldable with the latter; and lazy tongs at opposite edges of said frames, certain of the joints of the lazy tongs being pivoted to said frames and other of the pivotal joints of the lazy tongs having sliding connections with said frames.

5. A stereoscope comprising a lens frame; a picture holding frame; an intermediate frame adjustably mounted between the lens frame and the picture holding frame; a bellows connecting the lens frame with the intermediate frame; :anda partition extending between the lens :frameand the intermediate frame through the bellows andfoldable with the latter.

6. A stereoscope comprising a lens frame having view apertures therein; a hood secured' to the frame and adapted to fold over and close said view apertures; a frame on having view apertures therein; a hood secured to the frame and adapted to fold over and close said =view apertures; a picture holding frame on the side of the "lens frame opposite the foldinghood; an intermediate frame between the lens frame and picture holding frame; and means holding said frames in parallel relation at varying distances apart.

8. A stereoscope comprising a lens frame having view apertures therein; a hood secured to the frame and adapted to fold over and close said view apertures; a picture holding frame on the side of the lens frame opposite the folding hood; an intermediate frame between the lens frame and picture holding frame; a bellows connecting the lens frame with the intermediate frame; and lazy tongs connecting said frames and spacing the latter in parallel relation at varying distances apart.

9. A stereoscope comprising a lens frame having view apertures therein; a hood secured to the frame and adapted to fold over and close said view apertures; a picture holding frame on the side of the lens frame opposite the folding hood; an intermediate frame between the lens frame and picture holding frame; a bellows connecting the lens frame with the intermediate frame; a partition extending between the lens frame and intermediate frame through the bellows and foldable with the latter; and lazy tongs connecting said frames and spacing the latter in parallel relation at varying distances apart.

10. A stereoscope comprising a lens frame; a picture holding frame; an intermediate frame between and parallel with the lens and picture holding frames, each of said frames having guides in opposite edges and all of said guides being parallel with each other; and lazy tongs having certain of their pivotal joints pivoted to said frames and other of their pivotal joints mounted to slide along said guides.

11. A stereoscope comprising a lens frame; a picture holding frame; an intermediate frame between and parallel with the lens and picture holding frames, each of said frames having guides in opposite edges and all of said guides being parallel with each other; lazy tongs having certain of their pivotal joints pivoted to said frames and other -of their pivotal joints mounted to slide=along said guides; and a bellows connecting the lens frame with the intermediate frame and disposed between the lazy tongs.

12. A stereoscope comprising a lens frame; viewing lenses mounted in the lens frame; a hood secured-to the lens frame and adapted to fold over and cover the lenses; resilient means pressing on the hood and tending to move the latterto open condition;

and a picture holding frame on the side of the-lens frame opposite the hood.

13. A stereoscope comprising a lens frame; viewing lenses mounted in the lens frame; ahood secured 'to the lens frame and adapted to fold over and cover the lenses; resilient means pressing on the hood and tending to move thelatter to open condition;

a picture holding frame on the side of the lens frame opposite the hood; and a clasp adapted to lock the hood in closed condition covering the lenses.

1a. A stereoscope comprising a lens frame; a picture holder; an intermediate frame between the lens frame and picture holder; a bellows between the lens frame and the intermediate frame; walls on the lens frame around the bellows; a foldable mounting connecting the lens frame'and intermediate frame and picture holder, said foldable mounting being adapted to fold the picture holder and intermediate frame within said walls.

15. A stereoscope comprising a lens frame; a frame parallel with the lens frame; a bellows connected between the lens frame and said second mentioned frame; narrow walls on the lens frame around the bellows; a foldable mounting connected to the lens frame supporting the second mentioned frame; the latter, said mounting and said bellows being adapted to be housed between said walls when the mounting and bellows are folded; and a lid on the walls holding the bellows, second-mentioned frame and foldable mounting in the space between the walls.

16. A stereoscope comprising a lens frame; a frame parallel with the lens frame; a bellows connected between the lens frame and said second-mentioned frame; walls on the lens frame around the bellows; a mounting connected to the lens frame and supporting the second-mentioned frame; a lid connected with said walls; and means locking the door in open condition forming a support for the device.

17. A stereo-scope comprising lenses; a support for said lenses; a holder for opaque pictures and transparencies; foldable walls for darkening the space on the side of said lenses facing said picture holder sufliciently for viewing either said opaque pictures or said transparencies; and a foldable mounting for supporting said picture holder spaced from the outer open end of said f0ld- L le walls.

18. A stereoscope comprising lenses; a

support for said lenses; a holder for opaque pictures and transparencies; foldable walls support for said lenses; a picture holder;

foldable walls for darkening the space onthe side of said lenses facing said picture holder;

' and a foldable mounting for supporting the picture holder and the open end of said foldhood attached to said frame at the side i thereof opposite said holder and adapted to be folded over the viewing apertures and close the latter.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses, on this 3rd day of November, A. D. 1915.

EARL R. COUDEN. lVitnesses:

THOMAS CoLsoN, CHARLES H. SEEM.

Copies 01 this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of latents, Washington, D. G. 

